2008 Champ Car Grand Prix of Toronto

Champ Car returns to Exhibition Place Toronto for the 8th round of the 2008 Champ Car World Series. Coming off 2 straight wins and 3 poles, Paul Tracy is looking to score again at home, but he has 20 other drivers who hope to top him.

Coming off a season best finish of 2nd last week in Mont-Tremblant, points leader Robert Doornbos looks to get his first win of the season, but if 2007 is an indication, he will have to work hard to even get a podium at this historic course.

Looking to rebound here this weekend is the Long Beach winner and defending race winner Will Power, who’s season has been anything but stellar as an early title contender, he is 7th in the championship hunt at midseason.

“Last year was quite different. The heavy rain brought the race to a different level. There is no rain in the forecast this weekend, which is different than the showers we had last season.”
This race also marks the second race for Carlin Motorsports, but without Mont-Tremblant driver Giorgio Pantano, who rocked the paddock in Quebec with a great qualifying run if 13th, but to find some trouble during the race leaving them in 18th. Pantano will be replaced this weekend because of GP2 commitments, by last years surprise racer here in Toronto, Ryan Dalziel.

Also making his return to Champ Car is A1GP champ for Switzerland, Neel Jani, who will be the third driver in 10 races to drive the number 88 Rocketsport entry.

Rumors from the Rocketsport tent heard were that Canadian driver Michael Valiente, who is running in Grand Am, could be in the car if Viso’s pace does not improve.

Announced Monday was the Champ Car Grand Prix of England, which will replace F1 at Silverstone. Also announced was that Bruno Junquiera will retire from Champ Car competition at the end of the season, moving to Europe to drive for Peugeot in the LMS.

The weather calls clouds, but no rain on race day.

Frank Montagny ® -- Forsythe Petitt Racing

Paul Tracy -- Forsythe Petitt Racing

Franck Perera ® -- Forsythe Petitt Racing

David Martinez ® -- Forsythe Petitt Racing

Justin Wilson -- Newman Haas Lanigan Racing

Graham Rahal -- Newman Haas Lanigan Racing

Alex Tagliani -- Team Australia Walker Racing

Will Power -- Team Australia Walker Racing

Robert Doornbos -- Team Minardi USA

Nelson Philippe -- Team Minardi USA

Simon Pagenaud -- Conquest Racing

Enrique Bernoldi ® -- Conquest Racing

Raphael Matos ® -- PKV Racing

Oriol Servia -- PKV Racing

Mario Dominguez -- Pacific Coast Motorsports

Dan Clarke -- Pacific Coast Motorsports

EJ Viso (R) -- Rocketsport

Neel Jani -- Rocketsport

Bruno Junquiera -- Dale Coyne Racing

Tomas Scheckter ® -- Dale Coyne Racing
Ryan Dalziel -- Carlin Motorsport